How Many Words in a Press Release?
300-800 words
Typical length: 500 words
Word Range
300-800 words
Typical Length
500 words
The typical word count for this type of document is 300-800 words, with 500 words being the most common length. The ideal length depends on your purpose, audience, and the specific requirements of your task.
Typical Structure
- Headline and sub-headline (10-20 words)
- Lead paragraph — who, what, when, where, why (50-75 words)
- Body paragraphs — details and context (200-350 words)
- Boilerplate — about the organisation (50-100 words)
- Media contact details
Guidelines and Tips
The ideal press release is 400 to 600 words — long enough to tell the story, short enough that journalists will read it.
Front-load the most newsworthy information. Journalists decide whether to cover a story based on the headline and first paragraph.
Include at least one quote from a spokesperson — this gives journalists ready-made content to use.
Use the inverted pyramid structure: most important information first, supporting details second, background last.
For Australian media, use Australian English spelling and include AEST/AEDT time references where relevant.
Count Your Words Now
Paste your text and get an instant word count, character count, and reading time estimate.
Open Word CounterFrequently Asked Questions
How long should a press release be?
A press release should be 300 to 800 words, with 400 to 600 words being the sweet spot. It should fit on one page (or at most, one and a half pages).
Is a 1,000-word press release too long?
Yes, most journalists will not read a press release over 800 words. Keep it concise and provide a link to additional information or a media kit for those who want more detail.
How do I distribute a press release in Australia?
Use services like AAP MediaNet, PR Newswire, or direct outreach to journalists. Build a targeted media list relevant to your industry. Always personalise your pitch email.
What format should a press release use?
Use a clean, professional format: clear headline, dateline, body paragraphs, boilerplate, and contact details. Send as plain text in the email body — not as an attachment.